substantial attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable effort made towards achieving something. Example: "The team made a substantial attempt to improve the project's overall quality, resulting in positive feedback from stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In our script, Onegin arrives late for the duel, as he does in the poem, but he makes a substantial attempt at reconciliation, which Lensky refuses.

The New Yorker

Mr. O'Connor also served as chairman of the American Association of Advertising Agencies from 1975 to 1976, and as the agency representative on the steering committee of the National Advertising Review Board, part of the industry's first substantial attempt at self-regulation.

The New York Times

In summary, Bandstra (Bandstra 2008) provides a very detailed analysis of the text selected in his volume, but only a very general introduction to the theory behind the analysis, which befits its role as a students' guide to the text, whereas Tatu (Tatu 2008) provides a more substantial attempt at making explicit the lexicogrammar that lies behind his analysis.

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This picture is likely to be found in any secondary school in the country that is undergoing substantial attempts at improvement.

The Guardian

Will the crises and fierce debates set off by Brexit, which are likely to be long running and deep, do something to focus attention on these longstanding issues and force some substantial attempts to address them?

The Guardian - Opinion

"This attack is more symbolic than a real attempt to cause real substantial damage or significant casualties," he said.

The New York Times

A substantial literature attempts to identify nonexperimental methods that can replicate results of random assignment experiments (Heckman et al. 1999; Bloom et al. 2005; Mueser et al. 2007; Cook et al. 2008; Pirog et al. 2009).

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

For those who do not believe manipulation is common, and instead are inclined to marvel at the mysterious collective intelligence of centralized markets populated by self-interested traders, the general immunity of these markets to substantial, systematic attempts at manipulation may represent something new to explain, or at least marvel at.

Handbook of Experimental Economics Results

According to their narratives they spent substantial time attempting to achieve home birth delivery, by initially seeking the assistance of TBAs during labor, and relying on traditional medicine.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

While there has been substantial study attempting to identify and define the requirements for effective healthcare teams, the predominant focus has been on improving existing teams [ 8- 10].

BMC Health Services Research

Because the growth rate of S. pneumoniae is significantly slower than many other Gram-positive bacteria in culture media, the problems associated with the unstable mutation become substantial when attempting to generate a considerable concentration of the mutant.

BMC Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial attempt" when you want to emphasize that an effort was not merely token, but involved significant resources or commitment. For example, instead of saying "they tried to fix the problem", say "they made a substantial attempt to fix the problem" to highlight the seriousness of their effort.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial attempt" in very informal or casual contexts where simpler phrases like "big try" or "serious go" might be more appropriate. The formality of "substantial attempt" can sound out of place if the context doesn't warrant it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial attempt" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "attempt". It describes a significant or considerable effort. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showing it in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial attempt" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a significant or considerable effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, its use is appropriate in various contexts, especially news, science, and encyclopedic writing. When aiming for more common or informal expressions, consider alternatives like "significant endeavor" or "considerable effort". Remember to consider the level of formality required by the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant endeavor

Emphasizes the effort and importance of the undertaking.

considerable effort

Highlights the amount of energy and resources invested.

serious effort

Focuses on the dedication and commitment involved.

notable endeavor

Indicates that the attempt is worthy of attention or recognition.

remarkable effort

Stresses the exceptional quality of the attempt.

major undertaking

Highlights the scale and complexity of the attempt.

determined effort

Emphasizes the resolve and persistence behind the attempt.

vigorous attempt

Focuses on the energy and intensity of the effort.

strenuous endeavor

Highlights the difficulty and demanding nature of the attempt.

ambitious undertaking

Indicates a challenging and far-reaching attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial attempt" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial attempt" to describe a significant or considerable effort made towards achieving something. For example: "The company made a "substantial attempt" to reduce its carbon footprint."

What are some alternatives to "substantial attempt"?

You can use alternatives such as "significant endeavor", "considerable effort", or "serious effort" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "substantial attempt" or "significant attempt"?

"Substantial attempt" and "significant attempt" are quite similar, but "substantial" often implies a greater quantity or scale of effort compared to "significant". Choose the word that best reflects the magnitude of the effort being described.

Can "substantial attempt" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "substantial attempt" is appropriate for formal writing. It conveys a sense of seriousness and commitment, making it suitable for academic, professional, and official contexts.